Tevye, played by Jed Allen, and his wife Golde, played by Brittany Wiley, had a supporting cast of 50 actors and dancers.

School’s ‘Fiddler’ gets rave reviews

BUCKFIELD – All four performances of “Fiddler on the Roof” were sold out before the opening at Buckfield Junior/Senior High School auditorium recently.

Ethan Wright, play director and high school music teacher, said they thought about adding a Saturday matinee, but they only had rights to four performances and it would have been costly to add another, plus there were so many students involved.

Wright said, “I am so proud of them. They act as foolish as they want to on stage, because I am the biggest dork of all. I’m just laughing along with them all through the play.”

Meghan Andrews-Wright was music director for the play. She is the music teacher at Hartford/ Sumner Elementary School.

Principal George Reuter echoed Wright’s words, “I’m so proud of my kids. They make me proud everyday and we have wonderful community support.”

Dr. Tom Ward, superintendent of Western Foothills School District, said of the play, “It’s incredible. The students are great.” As he looked around the crowded room, he added, “There is tremendous community support. The arts are so important to education and it’s certainly alive in this district, but you can’t put on musicals like this without the efforts of the Wrights.”

The mother of leading actor Jed Allen, who played Tevye, said, “The Wrights are to be commended. Jed spent countless hours working on his role, but he had the leadership.”

Local actor and singer Mike Litchfield thought the kids were doing a great job. “It is a great production and not just for a high school.”

Five Telstar students who are doing “Fiddler” May 14, 15 and 16 attended the play, but no tickets were available. They were allowed to stand in the back of the auditorium.

A 13-member orchestra provided the musical support and moved the play along between scene changes.